Golf-club head.



A. E. LARD.

' GOLF CLUB HEAD.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 19!].

1,249,127., Patented Dec. 4 1917.

3140M: fez;

ALLAN E. LARD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THEMETALLIC SHAFT COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OFDELAWARE.

GOLF-CLUB HEAD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 4, 191?.

Application filed April 3, 1917. Serial No. 159,460.

provement in Golf-Club Heads, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to golf clubs, and has reference moreparticularlyto the heads of wooden clubs wherein the grain of the headruns at substantially right angles to the striking face of the club.

Club-heads formed of wood and having the grain disposed in the mannerjust stated tribute some driving power.

have heretofore been devised, but so far as I am aware such clubs havenot come into any extended use, by reason of the weakness of theirconstruction.

End-grain heads cushion the impact more than cross-grain heads, andlikewise con- They have not, however, so far, proven practicable, forthe reason that the neck as variously constructed, could not be made tostand the stress of the blow and the effect of atmospheric conditions. I

The present improvement relates to means for securing the shaft in thehead and more particularly to a metal sole-plate and socket member soanchored and constructed that all of the stress of the blow, usuallysustained by the wooden neck, is confined to the aforesaid parts andtheir anchorings. Being of metal, said parts are unaffected byatmospheric or climatic conditions. The tapered extension (or that partwhich may be said to constitute the neck) maybe constructed of variousmaterials or compositions, such as cork, leather or other suitablesubstances. Strength in the neck is not of prime importance, as thestress'is almost entirely confined to the metal plate and socket member,these being rigidly and immovably secured to and supported by the head.While the extension-neck, hereinafter set forth in detail, does, in ameasure, contribute to the strength of the club it may be entirelydispensed with, though its presence adds materially to the customaryappearance of the club.

Where the tubular socket is anchored in the manner hereinafter setforth, the effectiveness of the head is not impaired to any extent ifthe wood surrounding the metal socket should crack or split. Should suchcrack or cracks appear, however, it would be desirable to seal the,same, as with ground leather and glue, or any other suitable filler.

The structure hereinafter .set forth admits of the ready placement ofthe shaft in the head, and also the ready removal and replacement of theshaft, or a new one when for one reason or another it is deemedessential or desirable so to do.

Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the annexeddrawings, where- 1n:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a clubhead and a portion of theshaft;

Fig. 2 a transverse section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 a perspective view of the lower end of the shaft;

Figs. 4 and 5 like views of one of the washers and the fastening pin orbolt for the shaft;

Fig. 6 a face view of the club as viewed from the under side;

Fig. 7 a perspective View of the sole or attaching plate and the tubularsocket member for receiving the shaft-end;

Figs. 8 and 9 detail sectional views illustrating modifications of thefinishing elements; and

Fig. 10 a sectional perspective View of a modified form of attachment ofthe tubular socket to the club head.

In the drawings, 1 denotes the head proper, in which the grain of thewood from which it is formed runs at right angles to the striking face 2of the head; in other words, the grain is end-on in the striking face.There is not, as in the usual wooden head, any neck, as such, but thebody is carried up only to a slight extent, as at 3, at the heel of thehead. The head at such portion is bored through at the proper angle toreceive the tubular socket member 4, said member being brazed, welded orotherwise rigidly secured or afiixed to the sole plate 5. Said plate inthe form illustrated is cut away at its center, forming two arms 6 and 7and the bottom or sole of the club is recessed to receive and make aclose fit with said parts, lying flush with the exposed sole portion 8of the club.

The tube or socket member 4 is made tapering preferably upon its innerface, the diameter gradually increasing toward the upper end. Saidmember also extends uptill wardly, preferably beyond the upper face ofthe member 3, and the lower tapering end 9 of the shaft 10 is drivendownwardly into the socket, a shoulder 11 on the shaft abutting theupper end of the tubular socket.

The shaft is pinned or bolted to the tube, and in order to facilitatethe removal of the shaft I preferably employ a bolt 12, such as shown inFig. 5, the head being provided with a cross slot. The nut 13 is alsoprovided with a similar slot to facilitate its placement and removal.Prior to the positioning of the bolt, a washer 14, of leather or othersuitable material, is placed over the tube, said washer being providedwith opposite openings, for the reception of the bolt and its head. Theouter face of the washer is made tapering, or it may be dressed offafter being positioned, the portion conforming to the contour of theprojection 3, and its upper end merging into the washer 15 next above.Other washers, 16, are employed, said washers tapering inwardly towardthe shaft. The washers simulate the usual neck of the wooden club, and awrapping 17 may be present.

A club constructed in accordance with the foregoing description hasproved eflicient and durable, and the qualities and feel which ensuefrom the end-on grain are present therein.

In Fig. 8 a metal washer 18 is present in place of the washer 14:, saidwasher 18 being preferably formed from aluminum and provided on itsunder face with an annular bead 19, which fits in a correspondingchannel formed in the upper face of the member 3. Other washers 20 areplaced above, as under the former construction, the one next the metalwasher 18 having a head 21, fitting in a groove or channel formed in theupper face of said washer.

In Fig. 9 a ferrule or sleeve 22, made of aluminum, takes the place ofthe washers, the lower end of the ferrule being rounded in cross-sectionand fitting into a channel formed in the section 3.

Under both these constructions (Figs. 8 and 9) there is formed aninterlock between the slight extension 3 of the head and the adjacentwasher or ferrule, as the case may be, which tends to hold the wood inplace in case it should split at this point.

In Fig. 10 the tubular socket, indicated by 23, has its lower endout-turned, forming a series of flanges or projections 24 which arefitted into recesses formed in the bottom or sole of the head and areattached thereto by screws. These lugs or projections secure the socketmember to the club-head and in effect form an anchoring plate orelement, as does the member 5, together with its extensions 6 and 7. Inorder to effect a practical union between the tubular socket member andthe interior face of the bore through which it extends I preferablyknurl the outer face of the socket or tubular member 4, and windthereabout a very thin strip of leather 25, the leather beingimpregnated with glue, which goes entirely through the leather and formsa cementitious union between the head and the metallic socket member.Again, when welding the socket member to the sole plate a fillet, as 26,is preferably formed or produced at the junction of the tubular memberand the sole plate to insure additional strength at this point.

The presence of the washers or ferrule as above set forth is not, ofcourse, absolutely essential, but by employing them the club is giventhe usual appearance, and all sharp angles or projections are done awaywith. A neck constructed by the use of washers or the like absorbs, to acertain extent, or degree, any tendency for the shaft to break at itspoint of entrance into the tubular socket member. Furthermore, suchwashers tend in a great measure, to prevent moisture from getting intoand around the socket. When rubbed down and shellacked the leatherwashers become substantially waterproof, and in fact they may bewaterproofed before being positioned. In positioning the washers, theywill preferably be treated with some suitable cementitious material tocause the adherence of the lowermost washer to the adjacent portion ofthe club, and likewise of the washers to each other and to the shaft.

While I have described the combined sole plate and tubular socket asespecially adapted for use in connection with an end-on grain head, itis conceivable that this combined member may be employed in conjunctionwith a head having the grain running in the usual direction.

The material employed for the sole-plate and socket member willpreferably be moderately high carbon, heat-treated steel.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a golf club, the combination of a wooden head, the grainwhereofruns at substantially right angles to the striking face of thehead; an anchoring plate secured to the head of theelub; a tubularsocket member secured to said plate and seated in the head; and a shaftsecured in said socket member.

2. In a golfclub, the combination of a wooden head, the grain whereofruns at substantially right angles to the striking face of the head; ananchoring plate secured to the sole of the club; a tubular socket membersecured to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom through a bore inthe head; and a shaft secured in said socket member.

3. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head, the grainWhereof'is presented end on at the striking face of the head; a metallicanchoring plate secured to the under side of the head; a tubularmetallic socket member secured to the upper face of the plate andextending upwardly through a bore in the head and to a point above thehead; a shaft the lower end of which makes a driving fit within thetubular socket member; and a fastening element extending through saidsocket member and the shaft.

, 4:. In a golf-club, the combination of a Wooden head, the grainwhereof is presented end-on at the striking face of the head, a metallicanchoring plate secured to the under side of the head; a tubularmetallic socket member secured to the upper face of the plate andextending upwardly through a bore in the head and projecting above thehead; a shaft, the lower end of which makes a driving fit within thetubular socket member; a tubular or ring-shaped member surrounding theupper end of the socket; and a fastening element extending through theshaft and the socket above the head, the ends of said fastening elementbeing housed within said ring-shaped member.

5. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head, the grain whereofis presented end-on at the striking face of the club; a metallicanchoring plate having a plurality of outwardly-extending arms, theunder side of the head being recessed to receive said plate and arms;screws passing through said plate and arms into the head; a tubularmetallic socket secured to the plate and extending upwardly therefromthrough a bore in the head and to a point above the upper portionthereof; a shaft, the lower end of which makes a driving fit with thesocket; a washer surrounding the upper end of the socket member andmaking a close fit with the adjacent portion of the head; and afastening element passing through the walls of the socket and the shaft,the ends of said element being housed'in the washer.

6. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head, the grain whereofis presented end on at the striking face of the head; an'

anchor plate secured to the under side of the head; a tubular socketmember extending from said plate through a bore in the head and to apoint above the same; a washer surrounding the exposed end of thesocket; a fastening device passing through the socket and shaft end, thewasher housing the ends of the fastening device; and a plurality ofwashers located above said firstnamed washer, said washers graduallytapering into the shaft.

7. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head, the grain whereofis presented end-on at the striking face of the head; a tubular metallicsocket mounted in a bore therein; means for securing said socket inplace; and a shaft secured in the socket.

8. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head, the grain whereofis presented endon at the striking face of the head; a tubular metallicsocket extending through a bore therein, the outer face of the socketmember being knurled; a strip of leather wound about the socket member,said strip being cemented thereto and to the wall of the bore in thehead; and a shaft secured in the socket.

9. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head, the grain whereofis presented end-on at the striking face of the head; a tubular metallicsocket member extending through a bore formed in the head and extendinto a point above the upper portion thereof; a shaft the lower end ofwhich makes a driving fit within the socket; a washer surrounding theupper end of the socket; a fastening device passing through said washer,socket and shaft; and a series of leatherwashers surrounding the shaftand imposed one upon another and on the firstnamed washer, the outerfaces of the washers successively tapering inwardly to the shaft. l

10. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head, the grain whereofis presented end-on at the striking face of the head; a tubular metallicsocket member extending through a bore formed in the head and extendinto a point above the upper portion thereo a shaft the lower end of whichmakes a drivin fit within the socket; a washer surroun ing the upper endof the socket and having an inter-engagement with the adjacent face ofthe club; a fastening device passing through said washer, socket andshaft; and a series of leather washers S111.

rounding the shaft and imposed one upon another and on the first namedwasher, the

outer faces of the washers successively ta-.

pering inwardly to the shaft.

11. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head, the rain whereofis presented end-on at the stri ing face of the head; a tubular metallicsocket member extending through a bore formed in the head and extendingto a point above the upper portion thereof; a shaft the lower end ofwhich makes a drivin fit within the socket; a washer surroun ing theupper end of the socket and having an inter-engagement with the adjacentface of the club; a fastening device passing through said washer, socketand shaft; and a series of leather washers surrounding the shaft andimposed one upon another and on the first-named washer, the outer facesof the washers successively taper ing inwardly to the shaft, thelowermost washer of the series likewise having an inter-engagement'withthe washer which surrounds the upper end of the socket member.

12. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head the grain whereofis presented end-on at the striking face of the head; a shaft mountedand secured in aid head; and a neck formed of a plurality of leatherwashers surrounding the lower end of the shaft and secured thereto.

18. In a golf-club, the combination of a wooden head the grain whereofis presented end-on at the striking face of the head; a shaft extendinginto and secured to said head; and a neck located exteriorly of the headand formed of material different from that employed in the head, saidneck tapering inwardly toward its upper end and surrouaiding the shaftas it emerges from the hea 14. In a golf-club, the combination of awooden head the grain whereof is presented end-on at the striking faceof the head; a shaft mounted and secured in said head; and a neck formedof a plurality of washers surrounding the lower end of the shaft andsecured thereto.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ALLAN E. LARD.

